ROSCOE - Residents of Roscoe Township will vote in the March 18 primary on whether they'd like the township's board of trustees to pursue public bus service from the Stateline Mass Transit District.

An advisory question asks: "Should the Roscoe Township Board of Trustees consider contracting for bus services to be used by residents living in rural, unincorporated Roscoe Township?"

Roscoe Township Supervisor Jim Benkovich said the non-binding vote will help the board determine if bus service is wanted.

"There are some who want service," he said, "but we are not sure if they represent the larger population of the area."

Benkovich added, "If the public says they want it, we'll investigate it very aggressively."

SMTD operates under the direction of the Rockford Mass Transit District, which oversees the housing, operation and staffing of the SMTD buses. The non-profit transportation service was launched in February 2008 and already provides service to residents in South Beloit, Roscoe, Rockton and Rockton Township. The service does not run on fixed routes but is a dial-up, door-to-door service. Roscoe Township's 30 square miles include parts of South Beloit and most of Roscoe.

"This is not a question of increased taxes, it is a question of 'What do the people want?' and will the board heed the decision of the people," said SMTD Executive Director Sharon Hecox.

The initial annual cost to expand service to the township is estimated at $3,000, a figure Hecox said that could go up or down based on usage by township residents. Hecox said the township may already have the funds needed to support the service.

"According to the (Fiscal Year 2012) budget that was presented at the annual meeting, it appears there could be monies made available from their current budget or surplus funds to provide bus transportation to their residents, if it is a priority," she said. "The (Fiscal Year 2013) annual finance statements of Roscoe Township report a total fund balance after expenses of $1,463,499 at fiscal year-end."

Money would also be generated from ridership fares of $3 for adults 17 to 64; $1.50 for seniors 65 and older, disabled with prior certification and youth 7 to 16. Children under 7 ride free with fare-paying customer; and personal care attendants also ride free when traveling with approved clients.

SMTD representatives will be on hand to answer questions about service at booth 411 at this year's RoRo Expo on March 9 and 10 at the Hononegah High School Athletic Dome, 307 Salem St. in Rockton.

The RoRo Expo is a joint effort by the Roscoe and Rockton chambers of commerce to allow businesses in the two communities to showcase their products and services.